Getting ready for Museum Month

For the month of February, more than 30 institutions are offering
half-price admission with a free Museum Month pass available at all Macy's
stores throughout the county. Some of the participating museums include the
Birch Aquarium, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History
Museum and the USS Midway Museum. Information: sandiegomuseumcouncil.org.
— John Gastaldo / Union-Tribune

For the month of February, more than 30 institutions are offering
half-price admission with a free Museum Month pass available at all Macy's
stores throughout the county. Some of the participating museums include the
Birch Aquarium, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History
Museum and the USS Midway Museum. Information: sandiegomuseumcouncil.org.
/ John Gastaldo / Union-Tribune

February has its share of holidays and events: President’s Day, Black History Month, Valentine’s Day and even National Bird-Feeding Month.

And in San Diego, February also means Museum Month — a time when museums throughout the county offer half-price admission. The promotion, sponsored by Macy’s and the U-T among others, includes everything from the Balboa Park museums to lesser-known places, such as the Museum of Making Music.

“I’m a stay-at-home mom, so I always look forward to Museum Month,” said Denise Patterson. “We use this as a time to explore new museums and places outside our comfort zone.”

This is how it works: Free passes are available at local Macy’s stores throughout February. The pass is good for half-price admission for four people at the 39 participating museums. You get one visit to a museum per pass.

“This is a way for the local museums to work together to present something to community,” said Theresa Kosen, executive director of the San Diego Museum Council.

Though the program has been around for 22 years, Kosen said that recently it’s become more popular. Last year, attendance grew by 25 percent and more than 23,000 passes were distributed.

“I think it has to do with the economy,” she said. “Budget-conscious people are looking for value and experience.”

So where will you go with your pass? Can you fit in 40 spots in 28 days? Here’s a look at some popular choices and some places waiting to be discovered.

FAVORITES

(Hours are valid for Museum Month only.)

San Diego Air & Space Museum, Balboa Park. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission is $6 to $16.50. (619) 234-8291 or aerospacemuseum.org

Buzz Aldrin will visit the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park on Tuesday.— Howard Lipin

+Read Caption

Buzz Aldrin will visit the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park on Tuesday.
— Howard Lipin

This museum of aviation presents “SPACE: A Journey to Our Future” for Museum Month. The exhibit, which is presented in collaboration with NASA, is one of the largest-ever touring exhibitions on space exploration and the history of space. And on Tuesday, astronaut Buzz Aldrin will sign copies of his latest book from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The aquarium is popular for its 70,000-gallon kelp forest, hands-on tide pool and Shark Reef. But the Seahorses Alive exhibit — with more than a dozen threatened species of seahorses — is quite the charmer.